Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils in Slovakia grew from 41 899 tonnes to 49 994 tonnes. This expansion began with the 2018 arrival of a genetically modified sunflower oil, CERESOL, produced by the Czech company SETUZA, which brought new attention to the oils segment and related GMO labeling discussions.

A sharp contraction followed in 2021, with the market falling by a third to 33 327 tonnes, before rebounding strongly to 47 565 tonnes in 2022. This volatility coincided with a decline in domestic production from 19 200 tonnes in 2021 to 14 300 tonnes in 2022, altering the supply balance.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 46 554 tonnes. In 2024, global vegetable oil prices surged to an 18-month high, driving up food costs in Slovakia, while new national packaging rules came into force, requiring producers to adjust labeling and container standards.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Slovakia's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 18 100 tonnes, marking a significant 43.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 30.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 12 300 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Slovakia's production value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 20 350 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp increase of 69.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 46.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 13.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 001 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with an 8.6% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Slovakia's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions declined. In 2020, exports totaled 11 096 tonnes, showing a substantial 30.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 15%, with an average annual decline of 5.3%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 15 902 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 20.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia and Hungary were the primary destinations for Slovakia's exports in kind, together accounting for 84.7% of total flows. Other partners played a much smaller role individually.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, Slovakia's export value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions decreased. In 2020, the export value stood at 12 475 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable 17.6% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 4.2%, with an average annual decrease of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 146 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia (65.1% of export value), Hungary (14.6%), and Lithuania (6.1%) were the main buyers of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions from Slovakia. Together, these three countries comprised 85.8% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Slovakia in value, 2017-2020

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Slovakia's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions amounted to 42 990 tonnes, which is 17.1% lower than the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 42 769 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 51 837 tonnes. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 21.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Hungary, Serbia, and Ukraine—collectively accounted for 79.6% of Slovakia's total imports in kind of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's import value of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions reached 45 091 thousand US dollars, down by 12.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 40 977 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 51 261 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 25.1% jump.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Hungary (48.4% of import value), Serbia (19.5%), and Europe, not elsewhere specified (9.3%) remained the main sources for Slovakia's imports in value terms of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions. Together, they represented 77.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Slovakia in value, 2017-2020